I look ahead and there is a curving blacktop taking me through stands of pine, oak, and sugar maple trees with occasional citrus trees popping up here and there. I feel safe and nurtured by the natural surroundings. In the winter, the sugar maples turn colors like orange and red. Some of the bushes turn yellow. It is our version of the northern fall colors and it is beautiful.

I keep an eye open for traveling deer, tortoises, squirrels, and other fauna that may want to cross the roads I travel, both to keep from hitting them and to appreciate their graceful presence.

I am on my way to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where I will meet and eat with fellow small business owners, politicians, committed nonprofit directors, resort directors, and other community leaders. We will chat about families, upcoming events, business, responsibilities, and opportunities, then we will unanimously stand and pledge our allegiance to our country and say a prayer for God’s wisdom, guidance, and blessings. I may be given 5 minutes to pitch my business to attendees.

I always feel unity and hope when I attend these luncheons. Some have resulted in new business. Some have resulted in new friends, and some have resulted in new responsibilities, but they all remind me of how fortunate I am to live in a place that still promotes solid values and community partnerships.

Florida’s Nature Coast

Florida’s Nature Coast ranges from Pasco County north to Wachulla County along the Big Bend coast. It is an informally designated area originally proposed by Florida’s Governor Lawton Chiles. NatureCoaster only covers Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties because that is the area we know best. Read about the history of the Nature Coast here.

This 1,000+ square miles of Florida’s Gulf Coast has a history that is echoed from small town to small town. The east side of the Suncoast Parkway is still heavily forested as part of the Withlacoochee State Forest. This is a true gem of natural preservation that helps to shape the character of the eastern portion of the area. There are several ranches, farms, and large cow/calf operations, including the Bellamy Brothers Ranch, the Barthle Brothers Ranch, Campton Ranch, and Fenco Farms.

The west side of each county has been developed to enjoy water-based recreation such as fishing and boating and swimming with manatees. This coast does not feature traditional beaches but instead boasts ecologically-friendly saltwater marshes and tidal grasses along its shores. In fact, we have the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve and the north end of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve protecting our natural shorelines.

Protected Springs and Rivers are Part of the Magic

The hydrology is amazing! First-magnitude freshwater springs abound throughout Florida’s Nature Coast, with Weeki Wachee Springs probably being the most famous thanks to Newt Perry and his original Weeki Wachee Park. Today Weeki Wachee Springs is a State Park, protecting the headwaters of the Weeki Wachee River. Next is Homosassa Springs, with its 1960s attraction and resort having been converted into a State Park, protecting the headwaters of the Homosassa River.

Old Homosassa is a fishing village that is still a working waterfront, with fishermen and shrimpers plying its waters to make a living. There are also resorts and charters for vacationers and visitors, as well as the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins, which is what remains of a huge plantation that was located in Homosassa, but was burned out by the union armies. Read about it here.

Tampa Bay Pushes Northward, but Can’t Overrun Our Small-Town Culture

As Tampa Bay pushes northward into this region, many ranches have been converted to subdivisions and planned communities, but the small-town culture remains in the cities that populate the region, including Zephyrhills, Dade City, Brooksville, Inverness, and Crystal River. Some are feeling the transition more, like New Port Richey with its historic downtown, riverfront, and small business culture inching toward a more urban feel with its public recreation center and city services. Port Richey is a city just north of New Port Richey. Its lack of a downtown area is replaced by an active waterfront district.

There are many census-designated places like Aripeka, Hernando Beach, Spring Hill, Bayport, Hudson, Homosassa, Land O’Lakes, Beverly Hills, Ridge Manor, Elfers, Lecanto, Holiday, and Floral City. While Spring Hill and Land O’Lakes have become popular residential areas, they have no downtown or city services. Lecanto is growing like wildfire with residential and commercial growth. It is in central Citrus County and the county’s government services are located there.

Wesley Chapel is another census-designated area that is booming! Starting with Saddlebrook Resort, a nationally recognized golf and tennis resort, Wesley Chapel began its growth in the 1980s and has become a powerhouse in the east Pasco region. To drive State Road 54 from I-75 to Zephyrhills is an exercise in growth through residential development. Still, when you get to Zephyrhills, the pace slows down and the small businesses abound.

Did I mention the Festivals?

This area has so many fun festivals! The Manatee Festival, the Kumquat Festival, BBQ & Blues, the Stone Crab Festival, the Seafood and Arts Festival, Art in the Park, Camping with the Blues, Blues Bash at the Ranch, Brooksville Blueberry Festival, Holistic Health Festival, Multicultural Festival, Chasco Fiesta, and… I cannot name them all! AND PARADES! Keep up with it all on our Events Page.

I am so grateful that natural areas have been preserved throughout the Nature Coast region. And I am grateful for the people that make up this area, including you.

Below you will find lists of parks and preserves that help keep our nature coast natural. Whenever you have the opportunity to just pull into one of them and take a short break, I encourage you to do so.

Parks and Recreation Areas to Enjoy on the Nature Coast

Citrus County Parks

Leisure:

• Boat Ramps & Fishing Piers
• Skate Parks

Trails:

• Citrus County Cycling
• Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail
• Withlacoochee Bay Trail
• Withlacoochee State Trail

Other Parks:

• City of Crystal River Parks
• City of Inverness Parks
• Florida State Parks
• State Parks & Preserves

Hernando County Parks

• Hernando County Parks
• City of Brooksville Parks
• Hernando County Preserves
• Boat Ramps and Fishing Piers

Pasco County Parks

• Pasco County Parks
• Pasco County Aquatic Parks